Hiking trails in Cape Town ranked from easiest to hardest

(Staproete in Kaapstad van maklikste tot moeilikste)

Where easiest is measured as requiring the least exercise, and hardest provides the most exercise. By this measure, some routes may be eaiser than others, but far more technically challenging.

 

 

Hely Hutchinson dam wall

Almost all of these hiking trails are free.

Check who else is hiking these routes at the Hiking Cape Town Facebook page.

Always hike in a group, with at least one person in the group being familiar with the route. Make sure your car is properly locked and no valuables are inside, not even in the boot. Keep Wilderness Search And Rescue's emergency number handy: 021-937-0300

Hiking routes to the top of Table Mountain

Also see hiking routes to the top of Table Mountain.

Kloof Corner

Camps Bay, view from Kloof Corner

Trig beacon at Kloof Corner, with Camps Bay in the background

Lions Head

Lions Head is probably the most popular hiking trail in South Africa; with the most popular route to the top being the clockwise spherical route. As an alternative, try the anticlockwise spherical route from which you can see the Kramat (a burial place for Muslim Saints).

Cars are regularly broken into at the base of the trail; one can either leave the car at home and Uber, or if you do park your car at the base be certain that there are no valuables visible.

Not allowed anymore, as a results of erosion, are hikes to Wally's Cave on Lions Head.

Full moon hikes are popular on Lions Head. Here is the view of the city from the top of Lions Head:

Cape Town city at night, from Lions Head

The view of Camps Bay from the summit of Lions Head:

Camps Bay at night, from Lions Head

Sunsets on Lions Head are romantic:

Two couples on lions head at sunset

Muizenberg Peak

Beautiful views of Muizenberg from above:

Muizenberg on new years day

Trappieskop

Trappieskop and Fish Hoek, from Cave Peak

Dog permits

A permit is required to hike with a dog, in the areas this is permitted, on Table Mountain National Park. Permits may be obtained from the Tokai office.

Further afield

Bainskloof Bobbejaansrivier waterfall adventure

Beaverlac

Cederberg, e.g. Sneeuberg

De Hoop Nature Reserve

Franschhoek, Mont Rochelle

Helderberg Nature Reserve

Krom Rivier (or Elands River Hike, across the road from Krom River)

Otter Trail

Paarl Rock

Jonkershoek (Panorama Trail)

Suicide Gorge